Methods of updating spreadsheets

Abstract

The present invention provides methods of updating spreadsheet-based cells. One method of updating spreadsheet-based cells involves tapping on a cell and automatically increasing the value of the cell by a predetermined increment each time the cell is tapped. Another method of updating spreadsheet-based cells involves tapping on a cell, automatically displaying a drop-down list in response to tapping on the cell, tapping on a cell value to select a new cell value and automatically entering the new cell value into the cell.

1 . A method of updating a spreadsheet-based cell having a value, the method comprising the steps of: 
 tapping on the cell; and    automatically increasing the value of the cell by a predetermined increment each time the cell is tapped.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of tapping on the cell is performed by a person.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of tapping on the cell comprises the step of tapping on a touch screen using a stylus.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of automatically increasing the value of the cell by a predetermined increment is performed by a computer.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the computer is a handheld computer.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of automatically updating the value of other cells whose value depends upon the value of the cell.  
   
   
       7 . A method of updating a spreadsheet-based cell having a cell-based drop-down list, the drop-down list including a plurality of alternative cell values, the method comprising the steps of: 
 tapping on the cell;    automatically displaying the drop-down list in response to tapping on the cell;    tapping on one of the alternative cell values to select a new cell value; and    automatically entering the new cell value into the cell.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the steps of tapping on the cell and tapping on one of the alternative cell values are performed by a person.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the steps of tapping on the cell and tapping on one of the alternative cell values comprise the step of tapping on a touch screen using a stylus.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the steps of auto automatically displaying the drop-down list and automatically entering the new cell value are performed by a computer.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the computer is a handheld computer.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of automatically updating the value of other cells whose value depends upon the value of the cell.  
   
   
       13 . A method of updating a spreadsheet-based cell having a value, the method comprising the steps of: 
 clicking on the cell; and    automatically increasing the value of the cell by a predetermined increment each time the cell is clicked.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of clicking on the cell is performed by a person using a computer mouse or other pointing device.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of automatically increasing the value of the cell by a predetermined increment is performed by a personal computer or laptop.  
   
   
       16 . A method of updating a spreadsheet-based cell having a cell-based drop-down list, the drop-down list including a plurality of alternative cell values, the method comprising the steps of: 
 clicking on the cell;    automatically displaying the drop-down list in response to clicking on the cell;    clicking on one of the alternative cell values to select a new cell value; and    automatically entering the new cell value into the cell.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the steps of clicking on the cell and clicking on one of the alternative cell values are performed by a person using a computer mouse or other pointing device.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the steps of automatically displaying the drop-down list and automatically entering the new cell value are performed by a personal computer or laptop.